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‘That won’t ever happen,’ said Yamato.

‘Yes, it will. You can’t deny there’s a change coming. Japan is entering a new age and we need a strong lord like Kamakura to lead the way.’

‘He only governs Edo Province, not Japan. The Council would never allow it’

‘No, but one day he will rule.’

Turning on his heel, Kazuki returned to his gang.

‘Yamato!’ exclaimed Jack, pulling him to one side. ‘What were you thinking in agreeing to his bet?’

‘Don’t worry, I have no intention of losing.’

‘But what if you do?’

‘Then nothing’s changed. He’ll continue to harass you as before. Besides, you’re the one who told me I couldn’t lose.’

Jack realized he had to trust his friend. Yamato needed to focus on the fight and couldn’t allow doubt to enter his mind. ‘You’re right. You’re the best in Sensei Kano’s class. They’ve got no chance.’

‘Sorry we’re late,’ said Akiko, appearing slightly flushed as she hurried across the courtyard with Kiku, Yori and the new boy. ‘We wanted to show Takuan the view over Kyoto.’

‘It’s truly magnificent,’ said Takuan, bowing a formal greeting to them. He looked at Jack.

‘Yes, it is,’ replied Jack, giving a short but courteous nod of the head in return. He knew the exact spot they’d been to. It was where he and Akiko had shared hatsuhinode together, the first sunrise of the year. Foolishly, he’d always thought of the viewpoint as their little secret.

‘I could even see the Imperial Palace,’ Takuan enthused. ‘Akiko’s kindly agreed –’

‘Sorry, but the contest is about to start,’ Jack interrupted. ‘And Yamato needs to get ready.’

‘Of course, how disrespectful of me,’ said Takuan, somewhat embarrassed. ‘Gambatte, Yamato.’

Yamato inclined his head in acknowledgement. Takuan took his place in the crowd beside Akiko. Emi and her friends had also arrived and went over to greet Takuan. Soon a small group of admirers had gathered round the new boy.

‘You’d have thought he was the one fighting,’ Saburo remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

Jack focused his attention on helping Yamato, and prepared the blindfold.

As the three of them walked into the centre of the courtyard to meet with Kazuki and his gang, the students to their right suddenly parted and Masamoto appeared, accompanied by Sensei Hosokawa and Sensei Kano.

‘What’s my father doing here?’ exclaimed Yamato, all the blood draining from his face.

Saburo swallowed nervously. ‘Now we’re in trouble.’

But Masamoto and the sensei simply made themselves comfortable on the main steps.

‘Looks like he’s come to watch!’ said Jack.

‘You must really be feeling the pressure now,’ goaded Kazuki, seeing Yamato’s confidence waver. ‘Don’t worry, we won’t let your defeat look too easy. In fact, we’ll come at you one at time to give you a fighting chance.’

‘Ignore him,’ whispered Jack, tying the blindfold round Yamato’s eyes. ‘He’s lying. Just be prepared for anything.’

Yamato nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. His hands gripped the staff so tightly his knuckles had gone white. Jack realized his friend was struggling to maintain focus.

‘You can beat anyone with a bō. Trust your senses,’ Jack advised, repeating Sensei Kano’s advice from Chi Sao training the previous year.

Jack and Saburo moved to the sidelines, leaving Yamato alone in the centre of the courtyard. The five members of the Scorpion Gang encircled him.

The crowd fell silent.

Five against one, with Yamato blindfolded. This would be a stunning victory. Or a swift and shameful defeat.

Goro went first.

Hearing him approach, Yamato spun to face his opponent. He was alerted to the attack by the swish through the air as Goro struck with his staff. Blocking it with his bō, he then whipped the other end of his staff into Goro’s gut. The force of the blow bent Goro double. Yamato quickly followed up, bringing the shaft down hard across the boy’s back. Goro dropped to the ground.

The crowd were momentarily stunned. No one had really expected Yamato to win even one bout. Jack breathed a sigh of relief. At least his friend had proved he wasn’t an easy target. He gave Yamato a great shout of encouragement.